Public Holidays in Pakistan 2026 – Islamic, National & Public Holidays
Pakistan observes a mix of national (state) holidays and religious holidays based on the Islamic lunar calendar. The government declares public holidays via official notifications. Unlike countries such as Public Holidays in Oman, Pakistan generally does not offer a substitute weekday when a holiday falls on Sunday.
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Public Holidays in Pakistan 2026
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 | Thursday | Kashmir Solidarity Day | National observance |
| March 21 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr | Lunar-based (estimate; may shift by moon sighting) |
| March 22 | Sunday | Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday | Additional Eid day (estimate) |
| March 23 | Monday | Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday | Additional Eid day (estimate) |
| March 23 | Monday | Pakistan Day | Marks the Lahore Resolution (1940) |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday | Observed by Christian community (estimate) |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day | International Workers’ Day |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha | Lunar-based (estimate; may shift) |
| May 28 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Additional Eid day (estimate; may be extended) |
| May 28 | Thursday | Youm-e-Takbeer | Commemorates 1998 nuclear tests |
| June 25 | Thursday | Ashura | 10th Muharram observance (estimate) |
| June 26 | Friday | Ashura | Additional Ashura day (estimate) |
| August 14 | Friday | Independence Day | National day |
| August 25 | Tuesday | Eid Milad-un-Nabi | Lunar-based (estimate; may shift) |
| November 9 | Monday | Iqbal Day | Birthday of Allama Iqbal |
| December 25 | Friday | Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas Day | Jinnah’s birthday & Christian holiday |
| December 26 | Saturday | Day after Christmas | Observed for Christian community (estimate) |
Public Holidays in Pakistan 2025
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Bank/public holiday in some jurisdictions |
| February 5 | Wednesday | Kashmir Solidarity Day | National observance |
| March 23 | Sunday | Pakistan Day | Marks the Lahore Resolution (1940) |
| March 30 – April 1 | Sunday – Tuesday | Eid-ul-Fitr & Holidays | Multi-day, lunar-based |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day | International Workers’ Day |
| May 28 | Wednesday | Youm-e-Takbeer | Commemorates 1998 nuclear tests |
| June 7 – 9 | Saturday – Monday | Eid al-Adha & Holidays | Feast of Sacrifice |
| July 5 – 6 | Saturday – Sunday | Ashura | 10th Muharram observance |
| August 14 | Thursday | Independence Day | National day |
| September 5 | Friday | Eid Milad-un-Nabi | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad |
| November 9 | Sunday | Iqbal Day | Birthday of Allama Iqbal |
| December 25 | Thursday | Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas Day | Jinnah’s birthday & Christian holiday |
| December 26 | Friday | Day after Christmas | Observed for Christian community |
Notes & Observations
- Islamic holidays (Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Eid Milad) follow the lunar calendar and can shift by 1 day based on moon sighting and official notice. The 2026 dates above are widely published estimates until Pakistan issues the final notification.
- Pakistan does not routinely grant a Monday substitute if a holiday falls on Sunday.
- Some holidays are optional or provincial (e.g., Shab-e-Meraj, Baisakhi, Holi).
- In 2025, an additional observance, Youm-e-Tashakur (16 May), was declared as a Day of Gratitude.
- Extra holidays can be declared by provincial governments for local or administrative reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Pakistan have in 2026?
Pakistan has around 12–16 national public holidays in 2026, depending on the final official Eid/Ashura dates and whether additional days are announced for major festivals. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Do Islamic holidays fall on the same Gregorian dates each year?
No. They follow the Islamic lunar calendar and shift approximately 10–11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Is there a substitute holiday if a national holiday falls on Sunday?
Generally, no. Pakistan does not typically substitute a weekday when a holiday falls on Sunday. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Why can Pakistan’s Eid dates change at the last moment?
Eid dates are confirmed by official moon sighting and government notification, so published calendars can change by a day (and the number of holiday days can also be extended by announcement). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Conclusion
Public holidays in Pakistan combine national commemorations like Pakistan Day and Independence Day with major Islamic celebrations. Compared to Oman, Pakistan does not usually provide substitute weekdays for Sunday holidays, so observance varies by calendar year and official notice.
